Commentary | Mooney's smallest player could be big factor in region final against First Baptist Academy towering front line
SARASOTA
Cardinal Mooney point guard Justin Najmy is nearly always the smallest player on the basketball floor.
At 5-foot-6, he often goes unnoticed in warm-ups. But when the game is over, opponents rarely forget him.
Mooney head coach Stefan Gates hates to think where his team would be without the senior, who has run his offense for three years.
It's safe to say the Cougars wouldn't be 25-3 and playing for the Class 3A-Region 3 title Friday night at Naples First Baptist Academy withouth him.
Most people who follow Mooney identify with leading scorer Ryan McMahon and won't forget 6-4 Mitch Arimura, who had a career night earlier in the week when the Cougars won their region semifinal.
"Justin might be the heart and soul of the team," Gates says. "He gets everyone going, keeps everyone in line. He is all about team and wants to have success that way. He is very selective in his shooting and does a great job at that."
Najmy has modest numbers, but his effectiveness is glaring. He is averaging 7.2 points per game, shooting 52 percent from the field, 33 percent on treys and 80 percent from the free-throw line and has a 5-1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio with more than 400 career assists.
"I don't like to turn the ball over. It's a wasted possession," he says. "I don't care about getting attention. It's more important we get the win and our team is looking good. On the court I am just trying to make sure everyone is in the right place and playing to their strengths."
Najmy says he never feels pressure to get the ball to McMahon, who is averaging 27 points and often the focal point of the offense.
"We are like peanut butter and jelly. No one has chemistry like we do. I know where he wants the ball. But the main thing is to get good shots for everyone," Najmy says.
If there is a rivalry between Najmy and McMahon, who have been best friends since before high school, it's usually about things brothers argue over.
"Justin has the heart of a lion. He is one of the biggest competitors I've ever met and is a like a brother and best friend," McMahon says. "We've gotten into multiple fights over the years playing basketball and sometimes over who gets the last piece of pizza. But he wants to win and is a big part of our success."
In the Cougars region semifinal win over Calvary Christian Najmy scored 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting with multiple baskets coming after he knifed his way through the defense for layups.
The Cougars will need a solid game from Najmy and everyone else against First Baptist (20-7), which boosts three 6-6 starters who are averaging 6.5 to 8 rebounds. One is scoring leader Lorenzo Jenkins (14.2 ppg/6.5 rpg) and another is Qwandell Newton (12.1 ppg/7.3 rpg).
Alan Dell, Herald prep sports writer, can be reached at 941-745-7056. Follow him on Twitter@ADellSports.
This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Commentary | Mooney's smallest player could be big factor in region final against First Baptist Academy towering front line."